Damaan

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Damaan is located in the North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan.

Damaan is the floodplains region in the western central Pakistan. Gigantic hill-torrents occasionally pouring down from its western Sulaiman Mountain Range and finally joining the mighty Indus River in the east played vital role in making its diverse geographies and determining its histories and cultures.

Damaan was once considered to be the gateway to South Asia owing to its traversable numerous mountain passes connecting Afghanistan and the Central Asia to Pakistan. Invaders and traders continued to pass through Damaan for centuries before the advent of new transportation and communication technologies. Owing to its geo-political significance and strategic location, Damaan turned to be a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural region. Though Damaan is still predominantly Siraiki speaking region but other major ethno-cultural groups include Punjabis, Balochs and Pakhtuns. Kulachi, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan are the major cities of the Damaan area.

Damaan is confronted with the greatest challenge of its history: the challenge of mega development irrigation projects imposing destruction on local livelihoods and ecology, and violations of rights through very instruments oflaw themselves. The government is implementing three mega irrigation projects in the area including the Chashma Right Bank Irrigation Project (CRBIP), Gomal Zam Dam Project (GZDP) and Kachhi Canal Project (KCP).